GINEBRA VS TNT; SMB TAKES ON CONVERGE: WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

SAN Miguel and Barangay Ginebra will look to step closer to a quarterfinal berth in Friday’s PBA Philippine Cup action at the Philsports Arena.

Here’s what to watch out for in the doubleheader

Converge (0-7) vs. San Miguel (5-0)

When: Friday, April 19, 4:30 p.m.

Where: Philsports Arena

Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live

WORST VS. FIRST

League-leading San Miguel takes on league-worst Converge in the first game of the Friday doubleheader. The Beermen are undefeated after five games and were coming off a close 113-110 victory over Terrafirma last April 10. The FiberXers remained winless after seven games and dropped a 113-107 loss to Converge last April 12.

THEY SAID IT

Jorge Gallent not taking Converge lightly: "We have 11 steps. We are going to our sixth step. That’s the only thing we think of. The quarterfinals are not with us. It’s not there. So we are not thinking about it."

JERON TENG TO FINALLY PLAY AGAINST FORMER TEAM?

Jeron Teng is on pace to go up against his former team for the first time. While Teng was already in the Beermen line-up in the Commissioner’s Cup, he didn’t see action in their game last November 25 against the FiberXers due to an injury.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mo Tautuaa is coming off a 24-point night against Terrafirma, while also hauling eight rebounds and dishing out four assists.

Justin Arana had a career game versus Phoenix when he had a personal-best 32 points while also hauling 16 rebounds for Converge.

Barangay Ginebra (5-3) vs. TNT (4-3)

When: Friday, April 19, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Philsports Arena

Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live

TIM CONE VS. CHOT REYES

A sidelight to Friday’s match-up is Tim Cone facing Chot Reyes in the PBA for the first time since being appointed as Gilas Pilipinas head coach. Cone was previously Reyes’ assistant with Gilas in the Fiba Basketball World Cup but has since taken over on an interim basis and eventually on a permanent role last February.

Reyes, on the other hand, returned to his original role as TNT coach starting the Philippine Cup after he became the senior consultant during his Gilas Pilipinas tenure.

STREAKING TEAMS

One winning streak will end on Friday. Thanks to a two-game winning streak, Barangay Ginebra is in fourth place with a 5-3 win-loss record. Right behind is TNT, which also has a two-game run and is in fifth place with a 4-3 slate.

Ginebra won over NorthPort, 95-88, in its previous game last Sunday, while TNT defeated NLEX, 104-101, in a come-from-behind win in Candon, Ilocos Sur.

JAMIE MALONZO OUT

The Gin Kings will miss Jamie Malonzo in the game after suffering a calf injury late in their game against NorthPort. An Achilles injury was ruled out, allaying fears that Malonzo might miss games for an extended time. The question for Ginebra is who will step up in Malonzo’s absence.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

How Calvin Oftana and Ralph Cu will do for an encore will be something to watch.

Oftana was coming off a 37-point performance in Candon City where he led TNT to the comeback win over NLEX. He had a 73.18 true shooting percentage (11-of-20 from the field, 12-of-12 from the free throw line). Oftana also had 12 rebounds and six assists.

Cu had an all-around game with 24 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, and a 35 efficiency rating in the game against NorthPort.

2024-04-19T06:19:09Z dg43tfdfdgfd